Employee charged with assaulting 14-year-old girl in North Philadelphia store

NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- An employee of a corner store in North Philadelphia has been charged in the assault of a teenage girl.

37-year-old Eliazar Polanco of the 2700 block of North Mascher Street turned himself into authorities Monday night. He was transported to Special Victims and charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors

Police say a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted inside the corner store where he worked at North 18th Street and Huntingdon Street just after 9:00 a.m. Monday.

Polanco is accused of fondling and assaulting the girl, who was visiting from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Action News spoke with the victim's mother Monday afternoon.

Looking at her daughter, the mother said, "You did right. You possibly saved other little girls."

After the assault, the girl quickly ran to her aunt's home and told her what happened.

Police were called immediately.

Detectives say they have surveillance video of a store employee putting his hand up the girl's skirt.

"She said when she went to the refrigerator to get milk, he was on his knees looking under her skirt. He put his hand up her skirt. He put his hands in her panties," the girl's mother said.

After seeing the video, store owner Luciano Gomez said the suspect has worked for him off and on for some time.

"He touched her and I said 'Oh my God'. Why he'd do that I guess I'll never know," said Gomez.

"I'm past angry," said the girl's mother. "I'm beyond angry. I don't think there's a word to describe how I feel right now."